To live above with those we love, well, that will be glory. To live below with those we know, well, that’s another story.

That’s what this sermon is about today. Wherever two or more people come together in relationships deeper than a casual “hello,” conflict is bound to follow. In Matthew 18, Jesus gives a teaching about conflict resolution. While it is spoken to the Church, it has applications for all situations. So if another person sins against you, if there is conflict, if you can’t work it out, according to Jesus, here is what you do:

I. Deal With It

“Go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” Or as Eugene Peterson makes it more personal, “If he listens, you have gained a friend.” I like that phase. Most of …